Couple displaced after house fire

According to Capt. Joey Gacnik, the La Junta Fire Department responded to a residence fire at 419 Bradish on Sunday morning at 3:56 a.m.

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By Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Posted Mar. 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Posted Mar. 25, 2013 at 1:00 PM

According to Capt. Joey Gacnik, the La Junta Fire Department responded to a residence fire at 419 Bradish on Sunday morning at 3:56 a.m. Thirteen firefighters responded. When they reached the residence, smoke was coming out the eaves. When they entered the home, they found fire in the ceiling and walls of a bedroom and the adjoining living room.

They rescued two dogs in crates in the living room. Two people had escaped earlier and called 911. Cause of the fire was thought to be electrical circuits overloaded by too many space heaters. Damage to the home was estimated at $10,000. The firefighters stood down at 6:43 a.m.

There were also two automobile accidents. The first was at 8:57 a.m. on Sunday on Highway 50 west of La Junta. Two ambulances responded, but when they got as far as Swink they found that Rocky Ford had responded. The wreck, in front of Martin Pipe and Steel, was actually in the Rocky Ford jurisdiction, so they stood down. The second involved a car losing control and going off Highway 109 near mile marker 62. Two persons were transported to Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. Eight personnel responded to this call.

Winter storm

The weekend storm that slammed most of Colorado caused havoc in the area. Highways were closed throughout most of the state Saturday as blowing snow caused whiteout conditions and made for hazardous roadways.

Highway 50 westbound between Rocky Ford and Pueblo was closed for most of Saturday, reopening in the early morning hours Sunday. Highway 10 between La Junta and Walsenburg and eastbound Highway 50 was closed for a portion of the day Saturday.

Vehicles were seen off the roadways Saturday. Some drivers pulled over to wait out the conditions, while others appeared to have slid off the road or drifted off the road when visibility was low. A few parked vehicles were hit by passing cars who were also having trouble seeing.

The storm also brought below freezing temperatures, unusual for the start of spring. Spring will make its comeback later in the week. Tuesday's high is expected to be 49 degrees, with a low of 27. Wednesday's high will be 55, with a low 29. The area will make it out of freezing Thursday when the high will be 60 and low 35. Friday's high is expected to be 64 degrees.